Chinese herb regulates inflammation

U.S. scientists have discovered the molecular secrets behind a Chinese herb's extract made from Chang Shan, a type of hydrangea that grows in Tibet and Nepal.

Senior author Malcolm Whitman, a professor of developmental biology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, said for roughly 2,000 years, Chinese herbalists have treated malaria using a root extract, commonly known as Chang Shan.

Recent studies suggested that halofuginone, a compound derived from this extract's bioactive ingredient, could be used to treat many autoimmune disorders as well.

"It turns out that halofuginone triggers a stress-response pathway that blocks the development of a harmful class of immune cells, called Th17 cells, which have been implicated in many autoimmune Whitman said in a statement. "Halofuginone prevents the autoimmune response without dampening immunity altogether. This compound could inspire novel therapeutic approaches to a variety of autoimmune disorders."

Scientists have only recently appreciated the role of the nutrient sensing-amino acid response pathway, a pathway in immune regulation and metabolic signaling.

The amino acid response pathway lets cells know when they need to preserve resources. For example, when a cell senses a limited supply of amino acids for building proteins, the amino acid response pathway will block signals that promote inflammation because inflamed tissues require lots of protein, Whitman said.